2) Rescue underway after mudflow traps 7 at Freeport's Grasberg mine
3) Indonesia discovers nine WWII underwater relics in Papua's waters
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Human Rights Monitor
1) Excessive force against peaceful protesters during New York Agreement commemoration in Sentani
On 15 August 2025, Indonesian police and Brimob forces used excessive force against peaceful KNPB protesters in Sentani, Jayapura Regency. The demonstration, part of region-wide commemorations from Sorong to Merauke, was organised to mark the controversial 1962 New York Agreement that transferred Papua from Dutch to Indonesian control.
Despite KNPB’s advance notice and emphasis on peaceful protest, security forces responded with violence, resulting in at least nine documented injuries and systematic violations of constitutionally protected rights.
Documented Violations
Use of Excessive Force
Beginning at 7:20 AM, security forces escalated tensions by deploying two Brimob vehicles, three police cars, and a personnel transport truck against peaceful demonstrators. After a 15-minute ultimatum, forces used water cannons and batons to violently disperse protesters, forcibly pushing them from Pos 7 intersection to GIDI Imanuel Church.
Documented Injuries
Human Rights Defenders confirmed nine people injured by police batons, including five specifically identified victims:
- Nhofis Esema (23), KNPB Coordinator – head injuries
- Eko Passe (22), KNPB member – head trauma, materials destroyed
- Elky Matuan (25), KNPB member – head and body injuries during negotiations
- Alory Wenda (22), KNPB activist – head and right hand injuries
- Merontak Wallo (20), KNPB activist – head injuries near left ear
Four additional victims remain unidentified. All sustained injuries from police batons during what should have been protected peaceful assembly.
Destruction of Property
Security forces systematically destroyed protest materials, cutting command ropes and tearing pamphlets carried by demonstrators.
Legal Framework Violations
The police response violated multiple Indonesian constitutional and legal protections:
- Constitution Article 28E: Guarantees freedom of association, assembly, and expression
- Law No. 9/1998: Protects freedom of public opinion expression
- Law No. 39/1999: Affirms individual rights to peaceful demonstration
- Police Regulation No. 7/2012: Mandates police protection rather than repression of lawful demonstrations
These violations were committed under the authority of Jayapura Police Chief AKBP Umar Nasatekay, whose forces acted contrary to established legal procedures for handling peaceful demonstrations.
Pattern of Suppression
This incident exemplifies broader systematic suppression of democratic rights in West Papua. The violent response to peaceful commemoration of a historical agreement demonstrates Indonesian authorities’ intolerance for Papuan political expression, even when conducted within legal frameworks.
The timing is particularly significant, occurring amid West Papua’s ongoing humanitarian crisis where over 100,000 people remain internally displaced due to armed conflict between Indonesian forces and independence groups.
Demands for Accountability
Based on documented evidence, we demand:
- Immediate investigation into excessive force used against peaceful protesters
- Accountability measures against Jayapura Police Chief AKBP Umar Nasatekay and responsible officers
- Medical assistance and compensation for injured demonstrators
- Cessation of repressive tactics against Papuan civil society
- Respect for constitutionally protected rights of assembly and expression
Conclusion
The 15 August crackdown represents a clear violation of international human rights standards and Indonesian constitutional law. The systematic use of violence against peaceful demonstrators exercising fundamental rights demands immediate investigation and accountability measures.
This case exemplifies the broader pattern of democratic space restriction in West Papua, where legitimate political expression is met with state violence rather than constitutional protection. International attention and pressure are essential to ensure Indonesian authorities respect basic human rights and democratic principles in Papua.
Detailed Case Data
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Jayapura Regency, Sentani
Total number of victims: 9
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Jayapura Regency, Sentani
Total number of victims: 9
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Nhofis Esema | male | 0 | freedom of assembly, ill-treatment | |
| 2. | 1 | Eko Passe | unknown | 0 | freedom of assembly, ill-treatment | |
| 3. | 1 | Elky Matuan | diverse | 0 | freedom of assembly, ill-treatment | |
| 4. | 1 | Alory Wenda | diverse | 0 | freedom of assembly, ill-treatment | |
| 5. | 1 | Merontak Wallo | diverse | 0 | freedom of assembly, ill-treatment | |
| 6. | 4 | diverse | adult | Activist | freedom of assembly, ill-treatment |
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police, Mobile Brigades (BRIMOB)
Issues: indigenous peoples
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2) Rescue underway after mudflow traps 7 at Freeport's Grasberg mine
September 10, 2025 14:26 GMT+700
Timika, Central Papua (ANTARA) - An operation is underway to rescue seven miners trapped at an underground mine after a mudflow incident at Freeport Indonesia's Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) site in Central Papua on Monday (Sept 8) evening.
According to Mimika's Tembagapura Sub-district Police Chief, First Inspector Firman, the seven miners are safe, and communication via radio can be maintained. However, the rescue teams are still not able to reach them.
"The Freeport management continues with their rescue attempts. According to reports, the trapped workers are safe. However, we are concerned about the oxygen availability; we hope they have a backup supply inside," Firman told ANTARA on Wednesday.
As depicted in videos circulating on social media, the mud and debris flowed into the underground mine tunnels and blocked access to the outside. "It flowed like a flash flood," he remarked.
According to the police chief, the presence of top government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, is still awaited to monitor the rescue operation.
Earlier, VP Corporate Communications of Freeport Indonesia, Katri Krisnati, stated that the company has suspended underground mining operations at the Grasberg site to prioritize clearing the mudflow debris and evacuating the seven miners trapped inside.
She confirmed that the location of the seven miners is known, and they are all in safe condition. All other workers remain safe amid the incident, she added.
"The crews are working to clear the access to ensure safe and prompt evacuation," according to Krisnati.
Meanwhile, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated on Tuesday, that the ministry will dispatch a team to monitor the incident at the Freeport Indonesia facility.
The National SAR Agency (Basarnas) has also alerted its officers to stand by in case their assistance is needed for the evacuation at the mining site.
However, Basarnas official Noer Isrudin said that as the GBC site is classified as a restricted area, the emergency response at the site will be the full responsibility of the Freeport company.
Related news: Freeport prioritizes Indonesia market despite US tariff break
Related news: Freeport's mining permit extension most certainly after 2041: Minister
According to Mimika's Tembagapura Sub-district Police Chief, First Inspector Firman, the seven miners are safe, and communication via radio can be maintained. However, the rescue teams are still not able to reach them.
"The Freeport management continues with their rescue attempts. According to reports, the trapped workers are safe. However, we are concerned about the oxygen availability; we hope they have a backup supply inside," Firman told ANTARA on Wednesday.
As depicted in videos circulating on social media, the mud and debris flowed into the underground mine tunnels and blocked access to the outside. "It flowed like a flash flood," he remarked.
According to the police chief, the presence of top government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, is still awaited to monitor the rescue operation.
Earlier, VP Corporate Communications of Freeport Indonesia, Katri Krisnati, stated that the company has suspended underground mining operations at the Grasberg site to prioritize clearing the mudflow debris and evacuating the seven miners trapped inside.
She confirmed that the location of the seven miners is known, and they are all in safe condition. All other workers remain safe amid the incident, she added.
"The crews are working to clear the access to ensure safe and prompt evacuation," according to Krisnati.
Meanwhile, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated on Tuesday, that the ministry will dispatch a team to monitor the incident at the Freeport Indonesia facility.
The National SAR Agency (Basarnas) has also alerted its officers to stand by in case their assistance is needed for the evacuation at the mining site.
However, Basarnas official Noer Isrudin said that as the GBC site is classified as a restricted area, the emergency response at the site will be the full responsibility of the Freeport company.
Related news: Freeport prioritizes Indonesia market despite US tariff break
Related news: Freeport's mining permit extension most certainly after 2041: Minister
Translator: Evarianus Supar, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Arie Novarina
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3) Indonesia discovers nine WWII underwater relics in Papua's waters
September 10, 2025 20:51 GMT+700
Jayapura (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has discovered nine underwater archaeological remains linked to World War II in the waters off Jayapura City, Papua.
Saberia, an official at the Papua Cultural Preservation Center (BPK), said on Wednesday that recent surveys documented the remains of a warship or landing craft, a fighter plane, an armored car, and even a tank on the seabed.
"Based on preliminary identification, the fighter plane wreck found in Youtefa Bay is suspected to be a Hayabusa-type aircraft belonging to the Japanese Empire. It is believed to have crashed in 1944 during a battle with Allied forces," he explained.
He noted that in addition to natural degradation, the relics have been severely damaged by destructive fishing practices and marine pollution.
"The use of fish bombs has damaged the marine ecosystem and destroyed cultural heritage sites of high historical value," Saberia said.
Shinatria Adhityatama, a member of the diving team, said nine underwater cultural heritage sites have been identified for potential preservation.
"We documented several remains, mostly Allied landing craft, as well as fighter plane wings from World War II," he said, adding that more relics are likely to be found in Papua's waters.
Adhityatama urged the public, particularly fishermen and diving communities, to help protect the sites.
"Preservation is not only the government's responsibility. The younger generation must also be involved so that Jayapura's World War II heritage can be used for education and sustainable maritime cultural tourism," he emphasized.
Related news: WWII Japanese soldier remains unearthed in Indonesia's Papua
Related news: WW II plane wreckage found in Papua's Intipapo forest
Saberia, an official at the Papua Cultural Preservation Center (BPK), said on Wednesday that recent surveys documented the remains of a warship or landing craft, a fighter plane, an armored car, and even a tank on the seabed.
"Based on preliminary identification, the fighter plane wreck found in Youtefa Bay is suspected to be a Hayabusa-type aircraft belonging to the Japanese Empire. It is believed to have crashed in 1944 during a battle with Allied forces," he explained.
He noted that in addition to natural degradation, the relics have been severely damaged by destructive fishing practices and marine pollution.
"The use of fish bombs has damaged the marine ecosystem and destroyed cultural heritage sites of high historical value," Saberia said.
Shinatria Adhityatama, a member of the diving team, said nine underwater cultural heritage sites have been identified for potential preservation.
"We documented several remains, mostly Allied landing craft, as well as fighter plane wings from World War II," he said, adding that more relics are likely to be found in Papua's waters.
Adhityatama urged the public, particularly fishermen and diving communities, to help protect the sites.
"Preservation is not only the government's responsibility. The younger generation must also be involved so that Jayapura's World War II heritage can be used for education and sustainable maritime cultural tourism," he emphasized.
Related news: WWII Japanese soldier remains unearthed in Indonesia's Papua
Related news: WW II plane wreckage found in Papua's Intipapo forest
Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: Anton Santoso
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